Collapsible tube closure



July 12, 1932. M, OKEEFE 1,866,984

COLLAPSIBLE TUBE CLOSURE Filed July 17, 1951 Inventor O'Keg e I Patented "Jell 12, .1932

PATENT cl nics UNITED STATES member. a. oimnrn'or moons, wmmn conmrsmm 'runa czosunn --ap lication filed m 17.

This invention relates to an improved clo- 1 sure and fastener therefor which is express- 1y devised and suitable-to serve as an efiicient closure for collapsible tubes of the type now generally used for containing and dispensing toothpaste, shaving cream and analogous pharmaceutical preparations.

It is a matter of common knowledge that the ordinary closure used on tubes of this kind is a screw cap. This is susceptible of easy .displaccment and subject to frequent loss. I amaware of the fact however that retaining devices have been provided to overcome this disadvantage to some extent, for

which reason I do not claim to. have discovered a closure which is a revelation from a stand point of practical usage. Instead, I have involved and produced an improved and refined structure which, I believe, better fulfills the requirement of tube closures of'this general 7 classification.

It followsthatthe principal purpose and feature of theinvention is the particular selection of appropriate parts suitably and mechanically combzned to serve as an economical, eflicient and dependable closing means.

for the discharge neck of acollapsible tube.

In the drawing:

- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a tube equipped with the invention. 7

Figure 2 is a side view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section.

In the drawing, observing- Figure 3 in conjunction with the other views, it will be seen that the tube is generally represented by the numeral 7 and comprises the usual collapsible body portion 8 and the conical top 9 having anejector neck 10. -The neck is here-shown as formed with an intermediate flange 11 while the terminal thereof is slightly tapered 'to accommodate the telescopicallyfitting cap Attachedto this neck is a wire mounting which is here formed from asingle length of wire coiled as at 13. aroundthe neck and beneath the flange 11. It is thus confined between the apex portion of the top Figures 5 and 6 are plan views of details.-

9,and'

1931. Serial Io. 551,409.

flange 11. The terminals of this wire are formed into spring coiled sockets 14 which receive the inturned trunnions 15 formed. on

the ends of the arms of the wire actuating lever 16. The wire is bent to provide a suitable fin ergrip 17 and the intermediate portions 0 the arms are convolved as at 18 to form coupling eyes. The inturned ends 20 fit into these e es and the bent ortions 21 of the bight o the bail, is rocka ly con- 19 on the U-shaped bail nected withv the crown 22 of the cap. Thus,

the operating lever 16 is pivotally and flexibly attached to the sockets 14 which are in turn fastened to the neck and the ends of the arms of the bail 20 are pivotally attached to the eyes 18 and swingably are fastened to the novel operating and lamping as well as cap retaining device is provided.

In practice the capis simply slipped down over the mouth of the neck as seen in Figure 3 and the'finger portion 17 of the lever 16 is pressed downwardly which reacts to drawv the bail 20 downwardly and to thereby clamp the cap tightly in closed position. The

crown portion of the{ cap 12. In'this way'a springs lprovide suflicient flexibility to allow the terminal ends of the arms of the bail to pass beyond dead center as shown in the cantedposition represented in side elevation in Figure 2.

'Accordinglythe lever is maintained closed and the cap drawn tightly down on the neck as is obvlous. This structure, therefore,

serves as a novel cap mounting, retaining and fastening devlce.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawing will enable a clearunderstanding of the invention to be had. Therefore, a more lengthy description III 2 neeaeec a discharge neck, a cap adapted to fit slidably and telescopically on said neck, a bail swing-ably attached to the crown portion of the cap, an operating lever pivotally attached 5 to the bail and means for connecting said lever swingably with said nec v 2. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a collapsible tube embodying a discharge neck, a cap adapted to fit slidably 1e and telescopically on said neck, a bail swingably attached to the crown portion of the cap, an operating lever pivotally attached to the bail and means for connecting said lever swin ably with said neck, said means embodying resilient sockets to provide for the relative adjustment between the bail and lever to maintain the parts assembled and in I either' open or closed position. 3. In a structure of the class described, in. combination, a collapsible tube including an ejector neck having an intermediate flange, a mounting comprising a length of ire coiled around the neck. beneath the flange and formed With terminal spring coiled sockets, a U-shaped lever having the free ends of its arms inturned to provide trunnions, said trunnions being rockably mounted in said sockets, a cap fitting telescopically on said neck, a bail attached to said cap, and means 39 operatively connecting the bail and lever.

4. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a flexible dispensing tube including a discharge neck having a confining flange intermediate its ends, an attaching device comprising a'length of Wire coiled around said neck beneath said flange and formed with terminal spring coiled sockets, a substantially U-shaped operating lever having a finger piece, having its arms formed 49 with inturned trunnions rockably mounted in said sockets, and having their intermediate portions of its arms convolved into coupling eyes, a cap fitted on said neck, a bail having its bight portion rockably attached'to the 5 crown portion of the ca ,the arms of said 1 bail being inturned and tted into said eyes. In testimony whereof I mix my signature.

JHCHAEL R. OKEEFE. 

